"What we want for the UK, which is ultimately our oldest ally, is for the country to have the best of luck. We hope that an understanding between the UK and the EU will be possible," the head of state told reporters at the Casa do Alentejo in Lisbon.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added: "I hope that the British Government's will be able to come to an understanding between the UK and the EU," he added.

The President of the Republic argued that "Portugal itself has been doing its homework", following the referendum decision which saw voters in the UK choose to leave the EU.

"Portugal is prepared for all scenarios, through a dialogue that never ceased to take place within the European framework, but there has also been an intense and constructive bilateral dialogue with the United Kingdom and its Government to solve the problems I have been talking about, which are problems relating to Portuguese in the United Kingdom and the British in Portugal, "he said.